People living with Alzheimer’s disease are likely going to require a great deal of care.
How much they rely on others to perform daily tasks for them will depend on the severity of symptoms, on when the disease is diagnosed, on age and more.
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be difficult for a number of reasons.
An initial diagnosis for both the patient and their loved ones is likely both shocking and painful. Sometimes, preparing for the disease, especially if nonhereditary, is impossible.
Alzheimer’s disease comes in three stages, and a different level of care is needed during each. (iStock)
Below are tips for loved ones caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Educate yourself on the stages
- Recognize when additional help is needed and know your options
- Develop a structured routine
- Plan activities
- Yield support while allowing them to do as much as possible
- Ensure consistent food and water intake
- Provide safety in their own home
- Talk often
- Take care of yourself, too
1. Educate yourself on the stages
The first step to caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is to understand the three stages of the illness.
Often, it is difficult to distinguish what stage of Alzheimer’s a person is experiencing as there is no set timeline for how long stages last or how severe symptoms are. The symptoms in each patient will reveal themselves differently.
During the middle stage, the symptoms are going to be more pronounced and a greater level of care will be necessary. During this stage, mood changes are likely to occur, and a person may start to forget memories from the past or information about themselves. Individuals with mild Alzheimer’s may wander or get lost.
During the severe stage of the disease, the person is going to need around-the-clock care. (iStock)
During the severe stage of Alzheimer’s, a patient is going to need around-the-clock care. This is because all the symptoms with regard to memory will worsen, and a person may lose social awareness.
The individual may also have a hard time communicating simple words, thoughts, wants or needs with others.
When symptoms become severe and around-the-clock support is needed, long-term care is a heartbreaking but often necessary option.
This can also boost self-esteem and help them feel accomplished.
You may find it helpful to sit down with them each day and create a to-do list. This way, they know exactly what to expect during the day. The to-do list for every day can include teeth brushing, having a bath, getting dressed and eating each day at specific times.
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If patients were previously a musician or artist of sorts, offer them paint and a canvas or remind them there is a piano or guitar around. Support them to play or paint if they’d like to and enjoy the time with them.
One activity great for those with Alzheimer’s is doing a puzzle. (iStock)
5. Yield support while allowing them to do as much as possible
While loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease will need care, love and support, they will also need to complete tasks on their own to stimulate their muscles and mind. An example of supporting from afar would be laying out an outfit for them but having them dress themselves. Purchase loose-fitted clothing with velcros and zippers rather than buttons so they can more easily get dressed.
Place a stack of plates, bowls, cups and silverware on the counter and offer up the idea they set the table. Be pleased and grateful toward them during and after setting the table and assist when necessary. Encourage questions and reassure them you are there to help if needed.
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Patients who live alone with more mild symptoms may also have forgotten whether they ate earlier or not. It’s important to provide meals that can also be monitored when gone.
Instead of one large container of food, separate meals into smaller containers. If an empty container appears in the sink or dishwasher, it’s likely the patient ate and doesn’t remember. You can also label containers with “breakfast,” “lunch,” “dinner” or “snack” to help people easily navigate the meals.
There is also the concern of the inability to easily chew or swallow anymore. Difficulty swallowing can put an Alzheimer’s patient at serious risk of choking. Soft foods like yogurt, bananas, mashed potatoes of any kind and applesauce are safe and nutritious options to offer the patient.
7. Provide safety in their own home
Patients with Alzheimer’s should feel comfortable and safe in their own home, but they should also truly be safe. To keep a patient safe, you can do a few things.
Display emergency numbers and phone or computer passwords in a visible place like on the fridge or next to the bed, make sure windows and doors around the house lock securely, and cover outlets. You should also secure handrails on stairways, keep medications locked, and keep their space clean and without clutter to avoid falling or confusion.
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Have discussions with the Alzheimer’s patient about what around the house may be dangerous, where necessities are placed and remind the person of important things to do, such as turn the water off after use.
8. Talk often
Communicate with loved ones with Alzheimer’s as often as you can. Their ability to communicate or emphasis on the want to communicate is going to vary depending on the stage of the disease they are in. In general, speak in a slow and calming tone. Ask one question at a time and try conversing in a space without distractions.
Try nonverbal communication when speaking to or with a patient and make good eye contact with the individual. Nonverbal communication includes touch like hugs or kisses, facial expressions like smiles, and gestures like pointing or waving.
9. Take care of yourself, too
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia isn’t a job, it isn’t a chore, it isn’t burdensome — but it certainly isn’t easy. It’s important to give yourself grace when you are the primary caregiver or one of the caregivers of a patient with Alzheimer’s.
Often, caregivers are children or grandchildren of those suffering from the disease. It can be hard to want and need to care for them while also experiencing the pain of losing them. Watching a mother, father, grandparent or other family member lose core abilities and memories altogether is distressing.
Seeing the patient but reintroducing yourself to the loved one daily is extremely challenging and can take a toll on a caregiver.
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The life expectancy of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease isn’t clear, but on average, patients over 65 die within four to eight years of diagnosis, though they can live up to 20 years after symptoms begin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Some days or years will be more challenging than others — and that’s anticipated.
